Phantom Pain

I have been a type 2 diabetic since 1985 and thought that I was taking proper care of myself until I found a couple of deep sores on m feet. This was something I found out last year. Was told that I would have to have my feet amputated, but ended up with them being above the knee because of how the infection had traveled. Sitting here writing this I feel like my toes need to be scratched or that my other leg needs to be rubbed. I look down and realiize that they are no longer there. Any one know some ways of putting up with this and the pain that goes with it? Thanks for all of your other help in the other areas of this diabetes

4 replies

My Dad had two fingers missing that was cut off in an accident at a saw mill he worked at as a young man. When it happened he picked up the fingers to take with him to the hospital in case they could reattach them. He had to clean some ants off of them. They tried to reattach them but it been to long when he got there and it didn't take. He could still feel the ants crawling and stinging his fingers up until the day he died (at 102 years old) but the pain did seem to get easier for him. Or else he just got used to it, but I remember seeing him trying to scratch them . Also I had to have the last of my teeth pulled about 3 years ago and I sometimes feel like I have a bad tooth ache again. It really hurts like an infected tooth ache but the dentist said there is nothing wrong and that it is phantom pain. He said it should stop happening over time, I hope so. Best Wishes for both of us.

I had a big right toe amputation in 2013 and it was the worse pain (worse than child birth for me). it was something very silly that I didn't think much of and then it got so bad within a period of one week. The infection ate the bone in my big right toe and it had to be amputated - or I would lose more than just that toe. Now, that's it's gone my other toe has gone over to that side giving me another thing to worry about and that is my heel. I wake up thinking my toe is there and I do have cramps in my legs so I know what you are talking about. I make tea from the vegetable - bitter melon. It taste bitter and not that great to drink but it helps me with my pain. You may want to do that as well. It might help. I definitely would ask your doctor about what is going on and see what can be done. I wish you all the best and keep your spirit up, things will change for the better eventually. It takes time and I'm here along with a lot of other people to talk with and share those moments with. I hope you have a blessed evening!

It is rough when you can see the limb is gone but the pain or itch are real at least in the mind. I have a right below knee amputation it's been 25 years now and I still wake in the middle of the night crying out in pain because it feels like a cramp.I will rub the end of the stump close my eyes think good thoughts and it helps.